Manila, Philippines, February 22, 2007 – CASBAA today lauded the Philippines Department of Justice (DoJ) for recommending the filing of 12 criminal “informations for copyright infringement” against cable operator Maguindanao Skycable CATV and its directors and officers, including Mrs. Estrellita T. Juliano-Tamano and Joaquin Tamano.
Speaking on behalf of the CASBAA members who filed complaints with the DoJ against Maguindanao Skycable, CASBAA said the DoJ had strengthened the industry’s faith in a government commitment to protect intellectual property rights.
“With this decision, the DoJ strongly demonstrates the Philippine government’s strong political will to address the worsening pay-TV piracy situation. We are pleased with this development and eager to see the prosecution of the complaints,” said Simon Twiston Davies, the CEO, CASBAA.
CASBAA and its members filed the complaints against Maguindanao Skycable for illegally acquiring and transmitting copyrighted programming from AXN, CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, the Disney Channel, ESPN Star Sports, HBO Asia, MTV Asia, National Geographic, Star Movies, Star World, and Star Sports.
The complaints were filed based on evidence gathered by the National Bureau of Investigation – Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) following a period of intensive surveillance and a raid on Maguindanao Skycable’s offices and head-end in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines.
Under Section 217 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293), the directors and/or officers of a cable operator who have illegally transmitted copyrighted programs face a jail term of up to three (3) years and fines amounting to Php 150, 000.00 for the first offense. The courts may also order a convicted operator to pay damages for economic losses resulting from the unauthorized broadcasting of copyrighted programs.
The Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA) also welcomed the DoJ resolution, saying it is a “positive step towards creating a competitive Philippine pay-TV market that provides a level playing field for cable operators”.
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ABOUT CASBAA – www.casbaa.com
CASBAA is an industry-based advocacy group dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel TV via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific. The Association represents some 120 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than three billion people. Members include AETN International (History Channel), Asia Broadcast Networks, Asia Broadcast Satellite, AsiaSat, Astro (Malaysia), Australia Network, Bloomberg Television, Comverse, Chunghwa Telecom, Discovery Networks Asia, Granada, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, Intelsat, Macquarie Bank, Motorola, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, now TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, TrueVisions, Turner International Asia Pacific, Walt Disney Television International, Zonemedia, Anytime, BBC Global Channels, BBC World, ESPN STAR Sports, Eurosport, GMA Networks, Hallmark Channel, Indovision, Irdeto, Kabelvision, Harmonic, Lovells, Mabuhay, Motorola, National Geographic, Paul Weiss, Seagate, Shin Satellite, SkyCable, Standard Chartered Bank, Synovate and TimeWarner.
CONTACTS:
Angel Limgenco/Donna Garcia
Strategic Edge Inc.
Tel: +63 2 892 0247
Fax: +63 2 892 0223
Email: donna.garcia@seinc.com.ph
Katie Wong
Communications, CASBAA
Tel: +852 2854 9913
Fax: +852 2854 9530
Email: pr@casbaa.com